Azhar, Sajid to raise funds for flood victims

ISLAMABAD Test cricketer Azhar Mehmood along with England fast bowler Sajid Mehmmod will raise funds for the flood affectees under the banner of the Islamic Relief, an international Non Government Organisation (NGO). On Monday, addressing a press conference here at a local hotel, Azhar along with his friend Sajid Mehmood said that they would visit the effected areas. We have also plan to organise charity matches in the next summer in the UK in collaboration with Surrey and Lancashire counties to collect the funds, he said. He said that it was the biggest disaster of the region which took the lives of more than 2000 people. We will visit Khyber PK, Punjab and Sindh to help the needy people of the remote areas. Our main focus will be the education and we will support the people to resume the educational institutes, he added. Islamic Relief collected 20 to 25 millions pounds across the world including eight millions pounds from United Kingdoms (UK). We have planned to start rehabilitation work in 20 KPK, 20 Punjab and 20 Sindh villages. We did some work in Lunda and Charsadda, he said. On this occasion, Sajid said that he would remain here for 20 days and visit the affected areas. It was big blow as compared to Tsunami disaster. The whole world should help the people of Pakistan. I will visit different cities to distribute goods among the people, he added. Responding to a question, Test cricketer Azhar Mehmood disclosed that he had good relations with Azhar Majeed, younger brother of Mazhar Majeed. He was my good friend but it does not mean that he was agent of bookmakers. He is a very nice guy and has also friendly relations with Saqlian Mushtaq, he further said. Azhar said that he was 100 per cent fit for the international cricket and he could represent Pakistan. I came here to take part in the domestic cricket which is essential for me to get berth in the national squad, he said. I was banned owing to participating the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). I was not dropped from the team on performance. Now, I will show good performance in the domestic cricket to clear the way which will lead me to join the national team, he viewed. To another question, he said that Younus Khan or Mohammad Yousuf should be the skipper of the national Test team. The team needs an experienced leader to deliver remarkable results in the Test series against South Africa in the UAE, he added.